There is an evident large divide in the healthcare sector amongst developed civilizations and those that are struggling in third world countries. Due to the lack of resources, education, unsuccessful government principles, wars are just some factors that contribute to the demise of effective healthcare in these countries. The prevalence in lack of education of those that reside in these countries, results in a lack of knowledge/resources for general hygiene and how to protect oneself from diseases. Scientists have claimed that essentially all diseases that are prevalent in third world countries would be considered ‘neglected’ (Moran, 2005). This is due to the inability of the pharmaceutical industry to invest and provide research for a lot of these diseases, as it does not provide them with a lot of revenue in return. This economic barrier is a large injustice imbalance that hinders the health of many individuals and is extremely detrimental. To address the concern associated with the overall health of third world countries, it was called upon to reanalyze the Research and Development paradigm so that it is better accommodating and inclusive to diseases that are abundant in these countries (Stevens, 2004). 

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) are prevalent diseases that are found in tropical and subtropical regions and consist of communicable forms of diseases. A popular NTD is Ebola, which arose in the continent of Africa before spreading and being declared as a global epidemic in March of 2014. Ebola however, was one of the diseases that had a great traction rate as there were cases found in the United States as well, which is why the epidemic ended in 2016. Pharmaceutical companies invested millions of dollars into creating and developing cures because it became an issue for western civilization. This was a first hand example of why third world countries have such a large mortality rate, companies do not want to invest in their healthcare until it becomes a concern for developed countries. Other diseases such as leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, Chagas’ disease and Guinea worm, just to name a few have not even been acknowledged by the pharmaceutical industry (Free, 2004). These particular diseases directly impact those in predominantly lower socioeconomic classes and in low income countries. A study conducted by Patrick Trouiller, a well known researcher, provided stats to prove the failure of the healthcare industry in these developing countries. His study showed that out of the newly approved 1,393 drugs created between the years of 1975-1999, roughly only 1% of those were directly for neglected tropical diseases (Stevens, 2004).

A large portion of the diseases prevalent in third world countries are in fact completely avoidable or can be easily treated with the right medication. Many diseases flourish and stem from poverty, this is caused by lack of nutrition, air pollution, lack of sanitation and health education. Roughly 45% of the diseases that are associated in third world countries are resultants of poverty it was also discovered that all these diseases are completely treatable with medicine that already exists. Examples of this include Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS accumulate for a large portion of mortality in third world countries (Mitra et al., 2017). The prevention of Malaria can be done by simply having access to better quality of air and also by spraying insecticides. Tuberculosis is naturally treated with better nutrition and using DOTS therapy, which is just observing the patient and ensuring they are taking their medicines on time to prevent the risk of drug resistance. HIV/AIDS is dominant in places like Africa due to the lack of education. Having the necessary basic sexual education can reduce the amount of cases drastically. In countries such as Canada and the United States, antiretrovirals (ARVs) are used to prevent the virus from being able to replicate. Diseases that stem from childhood such as Polio, Measles and Pertussis are only accounted for roughly 0.2% of children in high income/ developing countries, however there are many resources implemented for these children to live long fulfilling lives. However, in third world world countries 5.2% accounts for the mortality rate of children affected with Polio, Measles or Pertussis despite vaccines for all three existing for longer than 50 years (WHO, 2002). Diarrhoel diseases claim the lives of 1.8 million people annually and is a leading cause of mortality in all developing countries. Malnutrition, not only leads to other deficiencies but is a whole problem on it’s own. It has caused roughly 500,000 children to go blind each year, even though there are resources created that are cheap and efficient to ensure that the right nutrients and supplements are given to the body (WHO, 2004). 

This divide amongst wealthy and the unwealthy has created a phenomenon known as the 10/90 gap, this was developed and expanded on by the Global Forum of Health Research where the issue arose that less than 10% of the worldwide resources created for the betterment of health research were put towards developing countries, and there were over 90% of the deaths were preventable had their been the right resources (Attaran et al., 2004). This all relates back to the idea that society has become predominantly driven by business and if there is not revenue to be produced many large companies would not want to contribute their work. Healthcare over the years has depleted from a basic human right, to a large profitable industry that exploits many vulnerable people across the globe. Neglected diseases in developing countries continue to prevail and have a low chance of diminishing unless the large pharmaceutical companies and developed countries provide their resources to assist. 

 

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